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The owner of a north Edmonton shoe repair store says the reason he refused to serve a woman wearing a burka was motivated by safety, not religious or cultural reasons.

“We have a no-mask policy in the store,” said Ryan Vale, owner of Edmonton Shoe Repair in Northgate Centre mall.

The response comes in the wake of accusations from 19-year-old Sarii Ghalab who claimed Vale told her serving her would go against his ethical beliefs.

“He blatantly told her not to touch anything in his store and that he will not offer her any service,” Ghalab’s sister wrote in a Reddit post while searching for online advice.

Ghalab later said she tried to deliver flowers to Vale along with a letter explaining the reasons she wears the burka. But she said he simply ushered her out of the store.

Vale said that isn’t the case.

“I certainly did not bring up the issue of race,” said Vale, pointing out a hand-written sign on his counter saying: “Please, for security reasons no facial coverings Thank you,” as well as another printout saying: “For security reasons NO MASKED CUSTOMERS ALLOWED,” with a silhouette of a head wearing a balaclava.

“That’s the way it’s always been. I know lots of businesses adhere to that business — strictly a no-mask, veiled mask, policy in the store; for white people, black people, dogs, anything. Please show who you are for safety,” Vale said.

Ghalab said she isn’t looking for retribution, though her sister posted she would file a human rights complaint.

According to Susan Coombes, a manager in education and engagement with the Alberta Human Rights Commission (AHRC), it’s rare that a complaint makes it as far as the hearing stage and no such case involving the wearing of a burka or niqab have made it that far in Alberta.

The Alberta Human Rights Act says shop owners or salespeople have to provide the same service to anyone, regardless of a number of factors including race, religion, place of origin and ancestry to the point of “undue hardship.”

Coombes said legally contravening the law based on clothing would depend on the shop owner showing crime or violence rates linked to specific clothing use. She said each case is considered independently but even assuming someone could shoplift because of their clothing could offend them and spur a complaint.

Retailers or customers unsure of their rights are encouraged to call the AHRC confidential inquiry line at 780-427-7661.

david.lazzarino@sunmedia.ca

As Advertised in the Edmonton SUN

Edmonton store owner says he kicked a burka-wearing woman out of his store for safety, not bigotry